DAN claims to form govt, results of 3 seats today

Kohima, Mar 9 (UNI) The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has claimed to form the next government even as the results of three Assembly constituencies are to be declared today.

Members of the Nagaland Peoples Front (NPF), major ally of DAN, said that at least five Independent candidates have already confirmed their support to the DAN.

The NPF leaders also claimed that the alliance is expected to win rest of the three seats, results of which are likely to be declared today.

The DAN has 29 members in the 60-member House, with 25 from the NPF and two each from the BJP and NCP, who had pre-poll alliance.

There are six Independent Members elected to the House.

The NPF had fielded a total of 56 candidates, while the BJP fielded 23, NCP eight and JD (U) three. The RJD had fielded 25 contestants, but not a single candidate had returned.

Sources said that the Chief Ministerial candidate of the DAN, Neiphiu Rio, is likely to meet the Governor today to stake his claim to form the Ministry for the 11th Legislative Assembly.

The Congress, which was making much hullabaloo even after the elections to cross the magic figure, was able to manage only 22 seats after they contested from all the 60 constituencies.

Even though the Congress has no pre-poll alliance with any party, Congress Legislature Party leader I Imkong on Thursday had expressed his willingness to take any like-minded party to form the government.

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